BMWs of SEMA 2013

We search the show for modified examples from the Bavarian Automaker

While the European tuner scene doesn't normally take center stage at SEMA, this year we found a
number of impressive and hard to miss BMWs. From the contest Bilstein 'Just Add' Sweepstakes 335i to
likes of Liberty Walk and booth displays like Injen Technology's 328i, there was a lot to see. Below is a
small grouping of Bimmers that caught our eye in addition to the many others found throughout the
show and featured in the gallery.

Whether you prefer widebody conversions, carbon fiber, slammed show offs or corner killers, this list
has something for everyone. Let us know in the comments section below which you like best.

If this car looks familiar that's because it was previously featured in our event coverage of the LTMW
Summer show. We found this Slek Designs widebody Z4 at the Ksport booth looking especially clean in
full carbon fiber. Slek Designs says every panel has been replaced by carbon fiber except for the top
pillar, which is molded into the chassis. The build took a total of nine months.

Carbon fiber is inherently lightweight and Slek Designs took advantage of its properties. The hatch,
doors and hood were swapped for carbon variants. A single production door fully assembled with the
window is 92 lb, while a single carbon fiber door with the window is 32 lb. The production hatch weighs
71 lb, while the carbon fiber hatch weights 17 lb. The production hood is approximately 40-50 lb while
the carbon fiber hood also weighs in at 17 lb. The production seats are also on the heavy side, weighing
80 lb each compared to one carbon seat, which weighs 24 lb. That is a total weight savings of over 300
lb.

A kit like this will run you about $25000 including the doors, hatch and roof. For $17000 you can
purchase the kit minus the doors, hatch and roof. The less expensive route would be a fiberglass body
for $13000. Slek's motive behind this kit's construction was to demonstrate that building a full carbon
fiber body doesn't have to cost $100000+.

With track-ready looks, this M3 at the LiteSpeed Racing booth deserved a second look. The main
attraction of this car, according to LiteSpeed Racing, is the forged composite three-piece wheels. This
wheel technology features a center that is 45% lighter than forged aluminum while the outer remains
traditional forged aluminum.

The benefit of the aluminum outer is the ability to pop out dents and buff out scratches. This provides a
lightweight wheel with added durability. In this case, an estimated five-to-six pounds per wheel is saved.
There are also the advantages of less rotating mass, which include improved braking, acceleration and
handling.

Past the trick wheels are the following modifications: LiteSpeed Racing titanium exhaust system, H&R
Cup Kit suspension, and carbon fiber goodies such as a Challenge USA front splitter. The exhaust swap
saved about 50 lb and added approximately 10hp. The BMW M Power badging across the hood screams
performance and with the builders' focus on shedding rotational mass, we're sure this M3 would slice
through corners like a hot knife in butter.

HKS Premium Day is one of those events in the world that you absolutely must add to your Calendar. There is no other time or place in the world where you will find the very best built cars in Japan in one place at one time!

Over the course of three days, Jofel and I took our supercharged, widebody, ex-SEMA show car Scion FR-S on a 1125-mile road trip. A first for Targa Trophy, this MegaRun journey would take us across three states.

Few recent releases have had such an impact on the tuner industry as the Scion FR-S/Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ. One could argue this fun RWD platform saved the tuning scene - illustrated at Tokyo Auto Salon the past few years.